Short hops and hard knocks with Red Sox beat writer Ian Browne.

Youk back in the fold; Lowell sits

For the first time since Game 1 of Sunday’s day-night doubleheader against the Rays, Red Sox manager Terry Francona produced a lineup on Friday night that included Kevin Youkilis.

The corner infielder, bothered by back spasms all week, was sufficiently recovered enough to return to his customary cleanup spot. Youkilis got the start at third base for the opener of a three-game series at Camden Yards.

“Yeah, he feels pretty good. Good enough where there were no qualms about playing him,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

Mike Lowell got the night off but it was not for health reasons. Lowell is hitting .174 lifetime against Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie with one homer and seven RBIs. Casey Kotchman, who started at first place, effectively taking Lowell’s spot in the lineup, is a .429 hitter against Guthrie in a small sample size (3-for-7) with one homer and three RBIs But the move was basically to keep Lowell fresh.

“Not so much matchup because I think Mike is a good hitter,” Francona said. “He played three days in a row. We traveled last night. I wanted to get Kotch enough at-bats where he could help us.”

– Ian Browne

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8 Comments

Hey all!! Hope you all had a great day, and if you didnt, well remember its FRIDAY…. WOOOOOOOWOOOOOOOOOO..
WEEKEND!!!
Well. I’m off to the lanes but as usual I, along with my RSN cohorts, will be watching in between frames!
woooooo
go-ooosox-xxx!!!
go clayboy…
and
YOOOOOUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!
GO GET EM BUDDY!!!
I’ll be back later til then
REDSOXNATIONRULES******
DOYOUBELIEVE?IDOIDOIDOIDOBELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone must be out tonite! Oki warming up in the Pen — Francona doesn’t seem to know that Camden Yard is the House of Horrors for Oki — although the last time he pitched here he got out of it — but was in serious trouble.

Just came in to see Paps pitch the last inning and then watch the Angels beat TX. We picked up another game on them. The Yanks are tied 1-1 with Seattle. So far it’s a good night . If the Yanks lose it will be even better. I hope Bay’s flu-like symptoms don’t last too long. We have to keep winning. GO SOX>

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